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Compasses and moss

I have been placing some caches in the Machias area this spring and I am still working on a bunch more. I have been focusing on placing quaility caches in quaility areas. Last fall I heard about an area which I thought would be great. It is called Compass Rock in Cutler, ME. It is located on Maine Public Reserve Land.

Compass Rock is a large ledge type area a few miles in the woods off a four wheeler trail. The ledge has a large compass carved into it. According to the old timers in the area, the early settlers of Cutler used this rock as a navigation tool while hunting. There are several other rocks similar to this all around Cutler, but this seems to be the only one on Public Land and easily accessable. Cool; Right! I thought so too. So I did some more research and went out to find Compass Rock.

I found the area with no problem, but there was a problem! The ledge is completely covered by thick moss. I kind of feel that peeling the moss back off the ledge would go against all that Geocaching stands for. What do you all think?

Also, do think the area would still be a good place for a cache without actually getting to see the compass? Is just the story enough? It is a nice area, but it's not really anything special; except for the rock.

That's a shame

Yes you're right. Everything we learn from caching and being in the woods says to practice Leave no trace. peeling back the moss would definitely go against that principle. Seeing the compass would be cool, but at what cost. Of course that is if it really exists at all. JMHO

However, IMO it would not be so bad if someone in control of the land wanted to expose the compass (assuming it is there) to keep the story of it alive, perhaps placing a marker there.

If it were my property and I was aware of the story and was sure the compass existed, I would probably expose it to preserve the history. If it was my property and someone else exposed it without consulting me, I would not be so happy.

I would think if the compass was actually there, that the locals would never have let it become over grown with moss. If indeed the compass is buried under a layer of moss, then that's where it should stay. Great story.

I agree! I would not peel back the moss either, just wanted some opinions.

I was thinking about placing a cache there, leaving the moss alone and just tell the story. However, I think I will not place a cache at all. I don't want other people to be temped to peel it up.

It is there. My wife's grandfather (91) lives in cutler and was a wood cutter by profession. He has seen it many times, way back in the day. My MapSend Topo 3d software has it as a POI. Those cords took to the same location the old timers told me to go to. At one point I found mention of it on the web. Surpise, I can't locate it now. I remember searching a while for it.

My wife Shotgun and I make a trip to the Machias area at least once every summer. We have been watching you place these caches and now have begun to drool! Every time you place another cache we get more excited! We can't wait to get "down east" again! We say leave the moss alone the cool story was enough. Thanks!

I am at odds on this one. If you knew exactly where the compass was under the moss and you knew for sure it was there then I would contact whom ever you needed to for the Public Land and ask them if they were aware of this and see if you could get permission to uncover it but only if you know exactly where it is. It is a piece of history that should not be lost.